7 Amazing Health Benefits Of Mustard Greens

If you are someone who hate to eat greens, this article just might change your mind!

Mustard greens, while not the most popular option among children, are among the most nutritious foods you can have on your plate. Available in various colors, mustard greens possess delightfully succulent stems, which makes them a delicious garnishing or core ingredient in any recipe. These greens are under study in research laboratories for their role in cancer prevention. This vegetable target three key components or systems in the body, such as the detoxification process, the antioxidants in the body, and anti-inflammatory system to prevent cancer.

Top 7 Health Benefits Of Mustard Greens:

Mustard greens are also known to offer a host of health benefits besides cancer prevention. Here is a list that will give you clear idea about the health benefits of mustard green:

1. Rich Source Of Vitamins And Minerals:

Mustard green is a rich source of Vitamins A, C, and K, which are essential for the healthy functioning of the body. Vitamin C is a powerful natural antioxidant that offers protection against free radical induced injury and flu-like viral infections. Vitamin A is essential for maintaining healthy mucus membranes that are required for good eyesight. Vitamin K plays an important role in bone mass building by promoting osteo-trophic activity in the bone. Studies reveal that Vitamin K also plays an important role in limiting neuronal damage in the brain.

Mustard greens are also a good source of iron, magnesium, calcium, zinc, potassium, selenium, manganese, folates, proteins, and dietary fiber. With high Vitamin K content, it works as a strong anti-inflammatory agent and improves cardiovascular health. The magnesium in mustard greens helps to soften the walls of the bronchial tubes. The dietary fiber in it reduces cholesterol levels in the body, reducing the risk of a heart attack. Folates have an important role in DNA synthesis and prevent neural tube defects in the newborn baby when taken during early pregnancy.

2. Powerhouse Of Antioxidants:

Mustard greens contain high level of antioxidants. Antioxidants prevent the onset of cancer in the body, preventing free radicals and oxidized cells from destroying neighboring cells. Mustard greens are also a good source of phytonutrients or plant produced nutrients. Hydroxycinnamic acid, isothamnetin, quercetin, and kaempferol are the key antioxidant phytonutrients provided by mustard greens. The high phytonutrients content in this nutritious veggie help to reduce oxidative stress on cells in the body. According to studies, mustard greens also helps to prevent breast, colon, bladder, prostate, ovarian, and lung cancers.

3. Detoxifying Agent:

The sulfur rich nutrients and antioxidants in mustard greens stimulate the process of detoxification in the body. Detoxification is vital for good cardiovascular health, preventing cancer and other chronic illnesses. Mustard greens are a rich source of phytonutrients called glucosinolates that activates detoxification enzymes in the body and regulates their activity.

Besides detoxifying the body, mustard greens also act as a cleansing agent and rid the body of carbon dioxide. It also helps to regulate the body temperature. These greens are also good for the colon as they are a natural cleanser. They stimulate the ejection of waste from the body and cleanse the system of toxins.

4. Anti-Inflammatory Agent:

Mustard greens are also natural anti-inflammatory agents, which prevent chronic inflammation and reduce the risk of heart diseases and arthritis. Mustard greens are also rich in essential anti-inflammatory agents, such as Vitamin K and omega-3 fatty acids. Vitamin K regulates the body’s anti-inflammatory system, while omega-3 fatty acids strengthen the body’s immune system. Isothiocyanates in mustard greens induce the body’s anti-inflammatory response and are extremely helpful in reducing the risk of an ischemic stroke.

5. Cancer Prevention:

Glucosinolates are phytonutrients that are found in significant quantities in mustard greens. These provide consumers unique health benefits as they can be converted into isothiocyanates (ITCs) that have cancer-preventive properties. The two important glucosinolates found in this cruciferous vegetable are gluconasturtian and sinigrin. Both are anti-inflammatory agents and cut the risk of cancer in the body.

6. Cardiovascular Support:

Cholesterol is used by the liver as a basic building block to produce bile. Bile consists of specialized molecules, which aid the body in the digestion and absorption of fat molecules through a process called emulsification. Bile is stored in fluid form in the gall bladder and is later released into the intestine for proper digestion of fat and its eventual absorption into the body.

Instead of being absorbed into the blood stream, the fibers present in mustard green and bile combine together and get ejected from the body when there is a bowel movement. This forces the liver to replace the lost bile acids by drawing upon the body’s supply of cholesterol, keeping the cholesterol level in the body under control.

7. Overall Health:

Mustard greens are excellent for skin and hair, ensuring lustrous locks and glowing skin. Additionally, they form an important part of a wholesome diet designed to help individuals manage their weight. Mustard greens are low in calories and can be consumed as a snack or a meal without the fear of gaining weight. Weight watchers, individuals with health problems like constant cold, anemia, general listlessness, weakness, dry and damaged skin and hair fall or thinning hair will be benefitted enormously from a diet rich in mustard greens.

Mustard greens are a storehouse of health. You had no idea that you were missing out on such amazing benefits, did you? So embrace greens—they are good for you, especially mustard greens! And they taste good too! Just google for some good mustard greens recipes and you’ll be on your way to good health!

Do you like eating mustard greens? Do you have a special recipe involving the yummy vegetable? Do share with us in the comments section.